Author: Andrew Davis

Chairman Kassar’s Weekly Wrap Up 12/1

Is New York City Government Sustainable?

The short answer is no. Even when you take out of the equation the countless ethical and legal questions that have arisen concerning the Mayor and other top City Officials including Commissioners, Council Members, and other officeholders, you will come to the same conclusion.

New York City only thinks of increasing revenue and spending; which has become even more difficult due to the loss of many of its higher-income citizens, who are emigrating to other states. The city consistently raises property taxes, often income taxes, and any other forms of revenue, from parking meters to various fines and fees as the solution. This, of course, does not consider inflation on non-government services.

When you are spending literally billions of dollars on illegal migrants for everything from housing, food, education, health, and transportation, you have an unsustainable budget problem. Add onto these billions the additional strains on public safety, as well as the criminal justice system and everyone feels the pinch.

Now with gigantic protests relating to the Middle East happening several times a week in the city, Mayor Adams, as a cost saver, announces the cancellation of the next three NYPD Academy classes.  That amounts to canceling 1500 new police officers from taking their oaths at a time when the retirement numbers are hitting new highs. The NYPD, in the matter of three years between the retirements and cancellation of these classes, will have the smallest force in several decades. It is just crazy and will have a myriad of unintended consequences as we have seen already.

Other agencies that provide basic services will also see their budgets cut; while taxes and fees continue to go up to cover the billions being spent on the illegal migrants and inflationary cost increases.

The Mayor talks a good game of pushing back against new arrivals. He cries for as much money as he can get from the feds and state, even as they tell him substantial new funds are not coming. In turn, the illegal migrants keep on coming to NYC, while taxpayers foot the bill with no end in sight.

Visitors to New York City see the difference and they are quick to speak up about it. The city is less safe, dirtier, and less welcoming overall than it has been since the early 1970s. In addition, unlike the 70s when you could still find inexpensive places to eat, live, and make a life for yourself and your family, everything in New York City today is very expensive.

Once again, the New York City of 2023 is not sustainable.

Patriot’s Podium Episode #16 Featuring Shaun Marie Levine, and Assemblyman Matt Slater

I am pleased to announce a special double-feature episode of Patriots Podium. In this episode, we spend our time discussing our 2023 Legislative Ratings, the process behind it, and how they come to fruition. Who better to bring on than Shaun Marie Levine, former longtime Executive Director, and current Vice Chairwoman of our State Executive Committee. As many of you know, Shaun Marie has been an instrumental part of the Conservative Party for many years, and we are thankful for her expertise to this day. In addition to Shaun explaining the outcome of the ratings, we are pleased to be joined by Assemblyman Matt Slater, who represents parts of Westchester, and Putnam County. Assemblyman Slater is a former Yorktown Town Supervisor, former chief of staff in the Senate, active in the Navy Reserves, and had one of our higher Conservative ratings. Matt had introduced several conservative bills to the Assembly that should have passed. However, because of the overwhelming majority of Democrats in the legislature, his bills never saw the light of day. There are many instances such as this, where Republican/Conservative endorsed legislators bring forth great bills, but cannot be rated without a floor vote. You can watch on any of the links below:

    YouTube                 BuzzSprout              Apple Music                      Spotify

Statement From NYS Conservative Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
December 1, 2023

Statement on Removal of Rep. George Santos from Congress by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar 

Brooklyn-NY…“A stain on Congress has been cleansed. Good riddance, Mr. Santos. Let the special election process begin.” 

###

Chairman Kassar’s Weekly Wrap Up 11/17

Thanksgiving

I wanted to take this time to wish you and your families a happy Thanksgiving. As we gather with family and friends next week on Thanksgiving Day, let us reflect on the principles that have shaped our great nation. 

From the pilgrims’ journey to the founding fathers’ vision, our history is a testament to the enduring values of freedom and liberty. Even in times of hardship, we express our deepest gratitude for the blessings of being Americans in a land where the pursuit of happiness is a sacred right. Our forefather’s sacrifices echo in the foundation of this great nation and state.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to our members of the New York State Conservative Party. Your unwavering commitment to conservative principles strengthens the foundation of our democracy. Together we stand as guardians of limited government and common sense conservative values, just as our predecessors did. 

To our dedicated supporters, your tireless efforts have been instrumental in preserving the conservative vision that has defined our party. Your commitment fuels our mission to protect the constitutional liberties that make our nation exceptional. If it wasn’t for our members and supporters, the Democrat Party would have free reign to do whatever they please with no accountability. Surely it would not be the America we know today if that were the case. We are thankful for you each and every day.

As we come together to celebrate this day of gratitude, let us remember the enduring spirit of America and the responsibility we bear to uphold its legacy. With yet another successful election behind us, we rapidly approach a Presidential election year. It is our responsibility to continue the fight, but for now, enjoy this time to relax and cherish time with loved ones because that is what this Holiday is about. May this Thanksgiving be a time of reflection, unity, and appreciation for the blessings that unite us as one nation, under God.

I’ll leave you with this quote from President Reagan, “Although we are a pluralistic society, the giving of thanks can be a true bond of unity among our people. We can unite in gratitude for our individual freedoms and individual faiths. We can be united in gratitude for our nation’s peace and prosperity when so many in this world have neither.”

Happy Thanksgiving,

Jerry Kassar

Statement From NYS Conservative Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
November 16, 2023

Statement on Rep. George Santos by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

Brooklyn-NY…“The House Ethics report says what we already knew: Mr. Santos must either resign or be expelled from the House of Representatives. The Conservative Party has been crystal clear about Rep. George Santos’s criminal behavior since it was first revealed. We’ve urged Mr. Santos to do the right thing for his district, country, and political party by resigning, but Mr. Santos wanted to do it his own way. Now his time is up.

“We urge his immediate resignation, and, absent that, his removal by a vote of his House colleagues. We will then urge Gov. Hochul to call a special election in NY3 as quickly as possible. No one is above the law.”

###

Statement From NYS Conservative Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
November 16, 2023

Kassar: Crimes Have Consequences; Hochul’s Ill-Conceived “Clean Slate” Act Can’t Erase Criminal Behavior; Deprives Business Owners of Critically Important Information

Brooklyn-NY…“It’s clear who Governor Kathy Hochul is listening to and it’s not the voting public. New Yorkers are outraged at the ongoing crime wave and have made their voices heard about ill-conceived criminal leniency policies like no-cash-bail. But Mrs. Hochul and her woke advisors were only warming up.

“The Democrats’ new ‘Clean Slate’ Act will erase the criminal records of thousands of New Yorkers, depriving potential employers of essential information when making decisions. Many of these businesses are willing to give people with criminal records a second chance, but to restrict their information is dangerous and wrong.

“Mrs. Hochul and her woke colleagues are systematically working to create a fairy-tale, consequence-free state, where criminals avoid jail time and crimes are forgotten by the state. But what about the consequences to the victims? And what about the unknowing employer? It’s hard to imagine a Governor worse on public safety. Everyday New Yorkers pay the price.”

###

Statement From NYS Conservative Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
November 15, 2023

Hochul Social Media ‘Hate Speech’ Surveillance Creates Chilling Precedent: New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

Brooklyn-NY…“Governor Hochul’s scheme to monitor the social media transactions of New Yorkers is chilling to the core. Nobody wants to see the type of internet vitriol that occurs between some citizens, but government’s giant hand can be the most frightening one of all. Law enforcement authorities can and should monitor legitimate terrorism suspects online, but spying on everyday citizens is unconstitutional and wrong.

“We speak about the Chinese Communist Party’s ‘social credit scoring’ system with tremendous derision, but here in New York we risk walking down the same path. Where one begins scoring citizen speech, one begins scoring citizens. Leave law-abiding New Yorkers alone.”

###

Chairman Kassar’s Weekly Wrap-Up 11/3/23

VOTE

It might seem obvious that we should all vote, but several studies have shown that 20% of New Yorkers who say they are going to vote – do not. With nine days of in-person early voting, absentee voting, and of course, election-day voting, there really should be no excuse. 

Yet I know it to be true from my petitioning. The walking lists many in the Conservative Party use show the last year someone voted. It is amazing the number of enrolled Conservative Party members who failed to vote in the Presidential and/or Gubernatorial elections.  

You can still vote early this Saturday or Sunday. Bank your vote. My wife Janet and I voted early in person on Thursday.

Regardless, make a plan for you and your family to vote. The Conservative Party can run radio spots, digital ads, send text messages and robocalls in an effort to cause New Yorkers to see the value in supporting our candidates and our Party. However, in the end, all the Party’s efforts come down to everyone receiving this email voting and hopefully voting Conservative.

You can read our full “Pre-Election Day” press release here:

CONSERVATIVE PARTY WELCOMES SPEAKER JOHNSON

This comes under the heading that good things happen to those who are patient.  Newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, based on his record and public statements, is likely the most conservative Speaker of the House of Representatives in modern times.

Speaker Johnson for the conservative movement is the whole package. He has been clear that he places equal importance on a conservative social agenda, with the many other pressing matters he needs to consider. To that point, the sanctity of life and the protection of parental rights are certain to be a high priority.

He will only consider stand-alone spending bills. This is long overdue and should please the many of us who distrust omnibus legislation.

His record on the Second Amendment is perfect. And to that point, he is a constitutional lawyer in a Congress that needs to pay more attention to the Constitution.

Maybe best of all, Americans can sleep more soundly knowing they have a Speaker with a moral compass.

The margin in the House for the GOP majority is way too close. Keeping Mike Johnson Speaker is another good reason for us to double our efforts in electing Conservative – Republicans to Congress next year.

SAVE THE DATE

Our annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference returns to downtown Albany, at the Albany Hilton Hotel, on Sunday, February 4th, and Monday, February 5th (40 Lodge St, Albany, NY 12207). Much more information will be coming soon. 

FALL RECEPTION JOURNAL

We would like to thank all of our Sponsors and those who purchased Journal Ads for our Fall Reception held October 25, 2023.  We also thank all those who came out that night and supported the event.  To view the Journal click here.

  

 

Statement From NYS Conservative Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Bill O’Reilly,212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
October 12, 2023

Gianaris Silence on Democratic Socialists Deafening: New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

Brooklyn-NY…“New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris has been utterly silent about Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in his conference, and it’s deafening. Senator Gianaris represents Western Queens, a hotbed of DSA activity and legislators, but he’s evidently more afraid of them than he is of the outrageous anti-American policies they espouse. Responsible leaders need to stand up and set things right when their colleagues stray, but it’s as though Mr. Gianaris is totally unaware of the wildly anti-Semitic Times Square Rally that the DSA helped organize and promote last Sunday — the day after more than 1,200 Israeli men, women, and children were butchered by Hamas terrorists. Remaining silent in the midst of such cruelty and horror is unacceptable.

“The DSA does not have America’s best interest in mind, nor Israel’s for that matter. These are strident ideologies who fundamentally believe that America is the problem in the world, not a beacon light of freedom. They would erase our Constitutional protections in the blink of an eye to achieve state control over our lives, and it’s high time that Mr. Gianaris said something about them. Silence is complicity.”

###